Owen Dale?

Dewster

Dewster

Well-known member
What is happening with him?
Has he gone back?. Is he a Covid victim?.
Seems he could be a player if given time?.
 
hertfordseasider said:
Not good enough, injury prone and certainly not worth anything like £500k, more like £50k. We have players for that position. Send him back and spend it on a central midfielder.
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I reckon there’s a player there, you know. He was unreal when he came on against Reading. He’s had a niggling injury so I suspect there’s more to come from him. £500k is nothing in todays football. If he comes good then he’ll be a brilliant addition or a great sell on, if not, then we’ll make it up on someone else. Our squad as it stands is a grand total of F all when we bought them. They’re probably worth a lot now.
 
He was there yesterday near tunnel at times. I imagine we’re trying to pay less than was promised to Crewe as he’s so injury prone.
 
Halifax71 said:
I think we're obligated to buy. Assuming that's the case he needs game time so once fit he needs to go out on loan - maybe send him back to Crewe. Remember similar conversations about Matt Philips
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There were reports in the press a few weeks ago that it’s a loan with an option to buy (not an obligation) and that we were trying to renegotiate the fee.
 
LeedsSeasider said:
I reckon there’s a player there, you know. He was unreal when he came on against Reading. He’s had a niggling injury so I suspect there’s more to come from him. £500k is nothing in todays football. If he comes good then he’ll be a brilliant addition or a great sell on, if not, then we’ll make it up on someone else. Our squad as it stands is a grand total of F all when we bought them. They’re probably worth a lot now.
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Some posters on here have been saying the same thing about Nuttall for almost 3 years. How much is SS willing to waste is the question.
 
For me, Dale has done little wrong in the game time he’s had. At Reading he changed the game and in other games he’s shown glimpses of the ability he has.

He’s stepping up from Div 2, so give the lad a chance. Also, he’s been dropped in when the team wasn’t exactly playing well and Critch was setting us up negatively. I’d expect him to be a lot different when we see him in a more positive line up.
 
KingZobo said:
He's barely had a chance, wasn't it 250k as well?
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No it is £500k and he was injured for a while an since he has been fit he has barely featured and apart from a great cameo at Reading he has been distinctly average. I just think we can put that money to much better use.

If you look at the squad, we have 2 keepers who any Championship side would want; 2 right backs any Championship would want, A centre half who is good enough for the Prem and plenty od other really good centre halves, we have 3 left backs all perfectly good Championship players. In midfield we have 4 players injured who would be playing if fit and we have Dougall and Wintle. Wintle has proved himself to be good enough for the Championship but looks like he is going back to Cardiff and Kenny, who is, in my opinion, steady but not the best we have if all players were fit. On the wings we have a plethora of players, Bowler and Anderson, both worthy starters; CJ, Demi, Garbutt and Dale and up front, Yates, Madine & Lavery.

Looking at that squad we desperately need players in central midfield, a creative player who can add goals and assists and maybe a box to box midfielder. I actually thought we looked at our best with a back 4 and one defensive midfielder and one creative midfielder (Carey), We could also do with another centre Forward to cover and fight for a place with Madine. We are more than covered in defence and in goal, but may need another right back if Dujon goes back, fingers crossed he doesn't. And as for wingers we have plenty so Dale is a luxury that we just don't need when we really need 2 central midfielders, a striker and possibly a right back. We can't afford to waste £500k. If he is available for £100k he may be worth a punt.
 
hertfordseasider said:
No it is £500k and he was injured for a while an since he has been fit he has barely featured and apart from a great cameo at Reading he has been distinctly average. I just think we can put that money to much better use.

If you look at the squad, we have 2 keepers who any Championship side would want; 2 right backs any Championship would want, A centre half who is good enough for the Prem and plenty od other really good centre halves, we have 3 left backs all perfectly good Championship players. In midfield we have 4 players injured who would be playing if fit and we have Dougall and Wintle. Wintle has proved himself to be good enough for the Championship but looks like he is going back to Cardiff and Kenny, who is, in my opinion, steady but not the best we have if all players were fit. On the wings we have a plethora of players, Bowler and Anderson, both worthy starters; CJ, Demi, Garbutt and Dale and up front, Yates, Madine & Lavery.

Looking at that squad we desperately need players in central midfield, a creative player who can add goals and assists and maybe a box to box midfielder. I actually thought we looked at our best with a back 4 and one defensive midfielder and one creative midfielder (Carey), We could also do with another centre Forward to cover and fight for a place with Madine. We are more than covered in defence and in goal, but may need another right back if Dujon goes back, fingers crossed he doesn't. And as for wingers we have plenty so Dale is a luxury that we just don't need when we really need 2 central midfielders, a striker and possibly a right back. We can't afford to waste £500k. If he is available for £100k he may be worth a punt.
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Wouldn’t disagree with most of that herts, you and l have constantly wanted to see Carey get a regular start as he’s a very gifted attacking midfielder but now sadly sidelined probably until late season. With the uncertainty around Wintle, the continuing injury problems of Stewart, Virtue and Grant we are desperately short of quality cover across the midfield and that’s the area that most investment is needed. Madine has been superb in recent games and a very experienced CF but needs a rest occasionally and l don’t think playing Jerry and Lavery works well. So another CF is needed but l don’t think Simms is the answer at this level in the business end of the season, experience is needed.
 
Haven’t seen enough of him but the injuries are a worry. He arrived injured. What’s the long term prognosis? Will look bad if we try to find a way out of this unusual arrangement
 
TangerineBayern said:
Wouldn’t disagree with most of that herts, you and l have constantly wanted to see Carey get a regular start as he’s a very gifted attacking midfielder but now sadly sidelined probably until late season. With the uncertainty around Wintle, the continuing injury problems of Stewart, Virtue and Grant we are desperately short of quality cover across the midfield and that’s the area that most investment is needed. Madine has been superb in recent games and a very experienced CF but needs a rest occasionally and l don’t think playing Jerry and Lavery works well. So another CF is needed but l don’t think Simms is the answer at this level in the business end of the season, experience is needed.
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I'd forgotten about Grant Ward!! Had to put my thinking cap on when you mentioned Grant!!

Does anyone have an update on him?
 
Think I've heard or seen recently that Ward's injury could be career threatening 😔
Been out since getting the injury against Bournemouth 21st August
 
Long-shanks said:
Oh no!! Thought he was great when he played - remember the game against Sunderland. He was a man on a mission that day and terrific
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I think he’s quality and got better and better for us as he rehabilitated his last long lay off. I really hope for his sake it’s not career ending, that would be heartbreaking. And I also think Kenny D is class, a Rolls Royce of a holding midfielder.
 
I think Ward was class in Div 1 would like to see him fully fit and see what he can do in the championship.
Hope his injury is NOT career threatening🙏

I think the best Owen Dale for us would be extended loan to end of season to assess injury further.

I think he should be given further opportunity as the “snippets” we have seen he “could” be an “absolute belter” for us.

I understand the owners not wanting to spend £500K on his at this stage, when we do desperately need a hard tackling attacking midfielder in this window.🚌🚢🧡
 
TimperleyTangerine said:
For me, Dale has done little wrong in the game time he’s had. At Reading he changed the game and in other games he’s shown glimpses of the ability he has.

He’s stepping up from Div 2, so give the lad a chance. Also, he’s been dropped in when the team wasn’t exactly playing well and Critch was setting us up negatively. I’d expect him to be a lot different when we see him in a more positive line up.
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Yes but a more positive line-up would not actually include him. I'm not for writing the lad off but he should be substitute at best at the moment
 
Torycorner said:
I think Ward was class in Div 1 would like to see him fully fit and see what he can do in the championship.
Hope his injury is NOT career threatening🙏

I think the best Owen Dale for us would be extended loan to end of season to assess injury further.

I think he should be given further opportunity as the “snippets” we have seen he “could” be an “absolute belter” for us.

I understand the owners not wanting to spend £500K on his at this stage, when we do desperately need a hard tackling attacking midfielder in this window.🚌🚢🧡
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Ward is a quality player but I am worried about the injury and if he will come back from it, I really he hope he can, for him and the club. Matty Virtue is only young but it was a terrible injury too and the same goes for him as Ward. He just hasn't had a chance to show us what he can do. Stewart is another, probably one of the best players at the club but is made of glass and don't forget Carey. He should be fine but he could be out for the rest of the season. I would be making sure none of them are rushed back and get them right. No point in bringing them back too early.

I think the extended loan for Dale would make sense as he has hardly been fit so we don't want another injury prone player and I would like to see him play when he is fully fit.

As for Kenny Dougall Kurt, It's a bit of a private joke between me and Voy, he does the same with Madine to me. I actually thought he was outstanding on New Years Day and I'm glad we've got him. BUT, if Stewart, Ward, Wintle, Carey were available I would probably play him less as I would play 2 of that 4. I am not.massive fan of 2 defensive midfielders and I think we look better with one plus a more attacking player. But I certainly wouldn't want to get rid of him.
 
hertfordseasider said:
No it is £500k and he was injured for a while an since he has been fit he has barely featured and apart from a great cameo at Reading he has been distinctly average. I just think we can put that money to much better use.

If you look at the squad, we have 2 keepers who any Championship side would want; 2 right backs any Championship would want, A centre half who is good enough for the Prem and plenty od other really good centre halves, we have 3 left backs all perfectly good Championship players. In midfield we have 4 players injured who would be playing if fit and we have Dougall and Wintle. Wintle has proved himself to be good enough for the Championship but looks like he is going back to Cardiff and Kenny, who is, in my opinion, steady but not the best we have if all players were fit. On the wings we have a plethora of players, Bowler and Anderson, both worthy starters; CJ, Demi, Garbutt and Dale and up front, Yates, Madine & Lavery.

Looking at that squad we desperately need players in central midfield, a creative player who can add goals and assists and maybe a box to box midfielder. I actually thought we looked at our best with a back 4 and one defensive midfielder and one creative midfielder (Carey), We could also do with another centre Forward to cover and fight for a place with Madine. We are more than covered in defence and in goal, but may need another right back if Dujon goes back, fingers crossed he doesn't. And as for wingers we have plenty so Dale is a luxury that we just don't need when we really need 2 central midfielders, a striker and possibly a right back. We can't afford to waste £500k. If he is available for £100k he may be worth a punt.
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Agree with most of this but I think he's being wrote off a bit early. Apart from that brilliant match at Reading he's not played so I wouldn't say he's been average, he's just not played. 500k is a lot though, you'd expect a top player for that.

Would personally like to see him over Keshi
 
KingZobo said:
Agree with most of this but I think he's being wrote off a bit early. Apart from that brilliant match at Reading he's not played so I wouldn't say he's been average, he's just not played. 500k is a lot though, you'd expect a top player for that.

Would personally like to see him over Keshi
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I assume you are taking the Mickey, you'd prefer a player who peaked 5mins into his loan over one of our best players who has scored and contributed in most of our wins this season? 😂
 
Let's understand what Sadler's project is about:
1. A head coach who buys into his long term vision of being a quality Championship side that can stand on its own two feet financially.
2. A young, hungry head coach who is used to bringing on young talent.
3. A club that buys young players to be developed by the head coach - that would include Dale.
4. Young players who can take the Club forward on the pitch and who...
5. Might then realise some solid cash to help the team buy new young talent to...
6. Repeat.
 
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NewburyOne said:
I assume you are taking the Mickey, you'd prefer a player who peaked 5mins into his loan over one of our best players who has scored and contributed in most of our wins this season? 😂
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Scores a few I agree but he wastes so many more opportunities and gives away a lot of possession. Never makes a run down the left wing either so whomever is left back inevitably has to go back to the keeper. Frustrating player and definitely a goal threat but I think there's gotta be better.
 
KingZobo said:
Scores a few I agree but he wastes so many more opportunities and gives away a lot of possession. Never makes a run down the left wing either so whomever is left back inevitably has to go back to the keeper. Frustrating player and definitely a goal threat but I think there's gotta be better.
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Anderson has been one of our best players this season, those things you want from a player you will not see from Dale and to spend £500K on him, based on what we've seen so far, would be madness.
 
NewburyOne said:
Anderson has been one of our best players this season, those things you want from a player you will not see from Dale and to spend £500K on him, based on what we've seen so far, would be madness.
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How do you know that if Dale hasn't played? Critch obvs saw something in him.
 
Owen Dale won Crewe's player of the season award last year btw - in a team that included Wintle. Some people are ridiculously quick to write players off.
The only worry I have is his fitness, clearly there was some niggling doubt about it otherwise we'd have signed him permanently.
 
If Critchley and the club are happy to spend £500K on what they saw last season, in the last few months in training and based on the odd appearance with us, then that is absolutely fine with me. He looked very good at Reading but I haven't seen much since. Personally I would prefer the money be used towards getting Wintle but that is assuming they would listen to any offers.
 
NewburyOne said:
If Critchley and the club are happy to spend £500K on what they saw last season, in the last few months in training and based on the odd appearance with us, then that is absolutely fine with me. He looked very good at Reading but I haven't seen much since. Personally I would prefer the money be used towards getting Wintle but that is assuming they would listen to any offers.
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He played very well when he came on against Reading, but unfortunately when he was getting a run of games it was during that period when most of us gnashed our teeth at the Critchmeisters team selections starting at Birmingham which lead to our poor run of form where very few came out in glory.
 
KingZobo said:
Scores a few I agree but he wastes so many more opportunities and gives away a lot of possession. Never makes a run down the left wing either so whomever is left back inevitably has to go back to the keeper. Frustrating player and definitely a goal threat but I think there's gotta be better.
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I keep reading people say we can do better, whether its about Keshi, Dougall or other players. We are not Premier League, we have players for our level, some very good, some good, some developing still, some where we maybe can improve on them in Summer but to point at Keshi who has been a star performer and say we could do better, that's only by taking a player who would cost £10m and be a ready made upgrade. Keshi has been fantastic and is still developing. His value is going up all the time in my opinion as is his contribution.
 
It seems we are also expressing an interest in George Thomas at QPR. Given he is a similar player to Dale, I wonder if we are covering our bases? I've only seen him a couple of times and he's always seemed a lively player.
 
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